Road Trip Hacks For Spokane Citizens

Road trips will never go out of style! They evoke a sense of American adventure that will never truly disappear as long as we have a full tank of gas and a general destination in mind! Whether you’re taking a road trip with the family, some pals, or your true love, this is bound to be a vacation you never forget!

As romantic as it sounds to hop in the car on a whim and just take off, it isn’t the best idea. You’ll only make it so far when you realize you’ve forgotten something important or that, just maybe, your car wasn’t as prepared for the trip as you were.

To avoid an unpleasant situation when you’re far from home – a breakdown, flat tire, or smoking engine – there are some precautionary measures you can take before you hit the road. The following road trip hacks for your car will help you to have a blast without having to worry about all the things that could go wrong along the way:

Have your car’s fluids filled up before you go. The fluids in your car are the lubrication that makes everything else work smoother. Therefore, it’s important to change the oil, transmission fluid, and even the wiper fluid in order to give your car its best chance to keep you moving!

Clean the battery and have it tested. Even if you aren’t car savvy, you can still probably clean the battery in your car yourself with some baking soda, water, and a stiff bristled brush. Any automotive shop will have a tester that will let you know how much life is left in your battery.

Look closely at your tires, and make sure you have a spare. Check to see that the treads aren’t worn down and that no cracks or wires are visible. Also, having a spare that’s identical to the tires on your car, instead of a flimsy donut, will get you back on the road in the event that you do have a flat.

Have someone check the brakes. Again, any auto mechanic should be able to tell you if your braking system is in good shape. It wouldn’t hurt to have your brake pads changed before leaving for a big trip, even if they are in moderately good condition, just to be on the safe side.

Don’t carry more than your car can haul. You can look in your manual, on the inside of the door, or online to find the exact weight specifications for your vehicle. Including the people inside, your car has a recommended weight limit that will allow it to run at its optimal performance.

These things are not expensive or time consuming chores, but they will increase the chances that your road trip will be uneventful – in a good way! It’s a good idea to have your car serviced and checked for all these potential problems at least once a year, anyway. There’s no better time than just before a big trip to make sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to.